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Posted: 10/24/2009 10:52:19 AM EDT
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So I have a stripped CMMG lower and I plan on starting my 2nd AR soon. This one I want to stay irons only and it's only true purpose is for me to have fun and for it to be a fun, light, and handy gun that can be used for anything from range fun, hog hunting up to SHTF scenario. Thanks to this forum I have really come to love the A1 uppers. And I love the LW carbines. But the carbine length gas system on a LW 16" barrel looks goofy. And I don't really want a perm attach flash in the rare event that I would need to do any maintenance that requires removal of the front sight. So I've come up with an idea for a more modern IDF inspired A1.
I was thinking of buying an A1 upper (either slickside or C7), buying a RRA mid length 16" LW barrel, and buying a set of Cav Arms fat hand guards for mid length gas system. I'd also throw on a 4 position Milspec tube and old style milspec stock that I swapped off of a Colt 6920 so that I could build a retro/IDF build with it. The only other thing I was planning on is some sort of 20". My only AR is a Bushmaster TX edition that is being set up as my duty rifle for patrol work. So does that build sound cool or stupid to you guys. I know it's not a true retro or even IDF. But it's inspired by them. |
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there are a couple of us guys who hang here in the retro section who like the mid length thing
the nice thing with a mid length is a 16" barrel can still look pretty neat here's a pic of my XM177 in 6.8 with a slip over 
MarkRSims has done this one in 458socom 
and another one of the guys (sorry don't remember who) did this one 
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From what I've seen, you'd want an A1 upper for an IDF, not a C7 or a 604.
That being said, the midlength handguard / 16" or 14.7" (with pinned flash hider) is cool. The one I built (crackedcornish's 2nd picture) has a 14.7" heavy barrel with a custom A1 flash hider permanently attached. |
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crackedcornish,
I am saving that last pick as it is just about exactly what I was imagining. The standard style tapering hand guards look good and make it seem more retro'ish. I have never seen a tapered mid length hand guard that looked good, but I really like the pics you presented. |
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My vote on this was for a C7 upper. I would go with standard middy hand guards, and maybe a modern M4 stock, maybe not.
I know the C7 upper isn't usually considered "True retro" but if you want this rifle to be able to double as a SHTF rifle, that makes it lefty-compatible. My first 'Retro' build has a C7 upper, my second will be a strait slick side once it's done, and the third will be similar to what you're doing. |
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Here's a list that I've compiled of the parts I plan to use. I didn't make the links live because I was lazy and copy and pasted it directly from a word document. How does the below sound to the retro crowd? Again it's supposed to be retro/IDF inspired and certainly not true to any actual retro or IDF models. For some reason I cannot get this build out of my mind. And I plan on having the barrel cut down and having the Surefire Brake welded or pinned on.
a.A1 C7 Upper $145 http://www.pkfirearms.com/content/1/20/25/45 b.RRA 16” LW Midlength Chrome Molly Barrel $190 http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=272&CFID=57563376&CFTOKEN=96492836 c.BCM Bolt Carrier Group $149.95 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm d.Cav Arms C6 “fat” mid length hand guards $25 http://www.cavalryarms.com/C6.html e. Standard Charging Handle f.End Plate Sling Mount $14.95 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Single-Point-Sling-Mount-p/sling%20mt%20end%20plate%20rh05.htm g.Mislpec 4 position Stock and Tube h.Vickers Sling $59.95 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Blue-Force-Gear-Vickers-Combat-Applications-Sling-p/vcas-200-bk.htm i.Surefire MB556K Muzzle Brake $139.00 http://sgcusa.com/AR-15-Components-Flash-Suppressors/c4_30/p1726/SureFire-Muzzle-Brake-Adapter-%28MB556K%29/product_info.html |
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RRA AR0212ASY CHROME LINED Chrome Moly Barrel Assembly, 16 Inch Mid-Length
With chrome lined bore and chamber. With bayonet lug, threaded, 1/2-28 thread. $235.00 for a SHTF type build I would go chrome lined for the barrel. why the surefire? |
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Quoted:
+ 1 for the C7 upper http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii228/lusciousclay/DCP_1805.jpg http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii228/lusciousclay/Galil-1.jpg Very nice rifles, Lusciousclay! |
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Quoted:
My vote on this was for a C7 upper. I would go with standard middy hand guards, and maybe a modern M4 stock, maybe not. I know the C7 upper isn't usually considered "True retro" but if you want this rifle to be able to double as a SHTF rifle, that makes it lefty-compatible. My first 'Retro' build has a C7 upper, my second will be a strait slick side once it's done, and the third will be similar to what you're doing. +1 |
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Don't feel bad - mine's kind of like if the IDF duked it out in Somalia. 
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Ghostring,
Your IDF style carbine has been saved on my computer for a while as well. I like it a lot. It was also an inspiration. I've gotta say that the slickside looks pretty cool, but I guess the forward assist is good to have on what will be my 2nd AR and my back-up for SHTF. I can't use this rifle for patrol because its not a factory built rifle, but I want to learn more about the AR by building my own and the satisfaction of building exactly what I want and not what a company decides everyone wants. |
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Quoted:
Don't feel bad - mine's kind of like if the IDF duked it out in Somalia.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Xnij/mishmash.jpg What RDS is that? |
| Can you guys tell me more about slickside uppers? Do they need a special bolt carrier or will a BCM or any other BCG work just fine? Aside from weight savings, looking cool, and being correct for specific builds is their any other advantage? Is the lack of a forward assist and a shell deflector really that much of a disadvantage? |
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Quoted:
Can you guys tell me more about slickside uppers? Do they need a special bolt carrier or will a BCM or any other BCG work just fine? Aside from weight savings, looking cool, and being correct for specific builds is their any other advantage? Is the lack of a forward assist and a shell deflector really that much of a disadvantage? It is the slick side is correct for certain models. Any of the bolt carries will work with the Slickside upper, but if your carrier shows in the open port door and having a slickside upper means you have to have a slick side bolt carrier. YMMV 
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Some models had slick side uppers, then came the A1 with the foward assist , then the FA and the brass deflector, followed up with the no-retro A2.  .
Many people who shoot alot never use the FA, so to some it is just something that adds weight, gets caught on stuff, of just takes away forthe clean lines on how the AR was orgionally designed. |
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